Get Sculpted: Power Yoga With Weights (Free, 30-minute Online Class)

Hey friends!

I did a yoga class this morning via Youtube and wanted to share (it's posted below) as I thought it was perfect for a quick workout that will bring on a sweat, but doesn't get too crazy for those of us who aren't terribly flexible.

I've been really getting into strength yoga classes lately.  I love that they combine the chill vibes of a yoga flow with weight lifting - something I've been really uninspired to do lately.  I know that weight lifting is critical to my overall health, especially as I get closer to 50 (ugh, that hurts to even think about).  But bone density is something that we all need to think about.  It's not sexy, it's not going to make you look better in skinny jeans, but it might help you look 72 when you're really 84.  Heck, it might even help you get to 84.  I'd be happy with that.

Sculpting Your Body with Smaller Weights

I know, I know, you don't want to get bulky.  If you've been around here for a while, you know I think that's something you don't have to fear, but I also understand that lifting heavy isn't something a lot of us are interested in doing (I'm 100% in that camp).  So a great alternative is lifting lighter weights with higher reps.  Research shows that this can provide the same or better results in some cases, and let's face it - neoprene weights are much more comfortable to work with than the heavy iron ones.

The key thing to keep in mind when lifting lighter weights is that you want to aim for the same sensation of muscle fatigue that you would get lifting heavier weights with fewer reps.  It's that "time under tension", or the feeling of not being able to do one more rep that's most important.   That's why workouts like Barre and PiYo are so popular with women.  You can get the same toned results without lifting big heavyweights, or with no equipment at all.  Remember, your body is just a giant barbell that you can leverage to work up a sweat.

Related: A free online yoga class with an inspired message (47 Mins, Intermediate)

Can You Get Sculpted With Yoga?

It depends on the kind of yoga you're doing, your body type and how much you put into it.  Overall, I think PiYo is a better choice for that goal because the workouts provides more "time under tension".  However, it's also really important to note that it's diet more than exercise that's going to get you to your goal. You can do yoga 24/7, but if you're eating too much, or not eating the right foods, then you're never going to attain that sculpted, lean look.

• Want to learn more about PiYo? Click here.
• Want to learn more about eating for fat loss?  Start here and if you're over 40, check this post out, too.
• If you DO love to lift heavy, you can check out my favorite weight lifting program that will give you awesome results, right here.

Now onto the yoga class from Youtube.  Enjoy it!